Marvel Comics just dropped a bombshell: the new Black Panther in the comics is a white, blond man claiming to be the son of T’Challa. This new White Black Panther shows up in Marvel Knights: The World To Come, and he is likely the villain. Big surprise.
The controversial move first appears in this week’s release of of the issue written by Christopher Priest (a Black writer) with art by former Marvel Comics EIC Joe Quesada. Fans are already calling out Marvel for either going too far or for laying the groundwork for something politically “explosive.”
What’s Going On With Marvel’s New Panther?
The character is introduced and fully revealed in the last page of the first issue, looking villainous as he steps into the role of Black Panther with “royal entitlement.”
He claims to be T’Challa’s son, yet his appearance — white skin, blond hair, blue eyes — completely contradicts the character’s Wakandan legacy. Marvel isn’t offering answers yet, but the image and timing suggest this isn’t random (it never is).
Theory #1: A Trump-Era Allegory in Wakanda
As I previously put it forth, this could be Marvel’s way of creating a fascist stand-in, a white “rightful heir” who takes power under the guise of bloodline and order.
This parallels how some view Trump: a figure exploiting identity and nationalism, pushing isolationism and dominance (more on that below with ties to the MCU).
If this new White Black Panther is eventually shown in subsequent issues to rule through fear or authoritarian control, it’s Marvel’s way of mirroring President Trump.
Theory #2: A Reflection of Post-Apartheid South Africa
It could also be possible that the story is a commentary on ongoing racial and political unrest in South Africa.
A white man ruling a historically Black kingdom — especially under the pretense of heritage — echoes the aftershocks of colonization and modern debates around power, land, and equity.
If the story shows Wakandans rejecting him (who wants to guess it leads to war with the “rightful” Black Panther returning?), it could mirror pushback against lingering colonial structures and even present day politics.
It could also very well be a mix of elements of both theories.
Boseman’s Warning About Walls
Worth a mention that this isn’t Marvel’s first time mixing politics into Black Panther with Donald Trump. Following the release of the first movie, and prior to his death, Chadwick Boseman explained how one line in the movie — about Wakanda refusing refugees — hit especially hard. He filled in Viggo Mortensen on Variety‘s Actors on Actors feature at the time:
“We were prepping for the movie when the election happened. We literally were like, ‘OK, tomorrow Hillary will be president-elect.’ And the next morning, you’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ The script was already written. Those lines were already in there. It’s unbelievable at times. We’re like, ‘Well, can we keep that line? Well, we have to keep it because it’s true.’”
Boseman added, “Our society can’t exist if we continue to build walls. We have to break those walls in order for us to advance.”
It seems likely that this new White Black Panther may be a continuation of this line of thought, a “what if” scenario where Wakanda doesn’t learn that lesson. Variety further pointed out in the article that both of the actors’ movies at the time “have a lot to say about the xenophobia roiling the country under Trump and the ways in which ignorance breeds intolerance.”
Theory #3: White Black Panther coming to the MCU
With Marvel exec Tom Brevoort recently admitting that the comics now exist mainly as “creative fodder for eventual film and animation development,” we can guess the idea of using a White Black Panther might have come down from Kevin Feige and/or Disney.
Fans are already speculating there might be truth in rumors that Ryan Gosling is headed to the MCU. While the actor has been rumored as Marvel’s Ghost Rider or Nova, it could very well be possible that Ryan Gosling plays Marvel’s new Black Panther.
Update: Is Ryan Gosling Marvel’s New Black Panther? Fans think the comic art is teasing him, and there may be more to it than a meme. Read the full theory here ➔
Rumors suggest Black Panther 3 will feature the son of T’Challa. How it could all work out is that Black Panther 3 will be released following Avengers: Endgame, which will be rebooting the MCU.
Black Panther T'Challa to be recast in Avengers Doomsday? pic.twitter.com/n66o1wr3yC
— The Bugle Daily (@TheBugleDaily1) June 5, 2025
Theory #3: Desperate Gimmick To Sell Comics
Of course, there’s another theory: Marvel’s pulling a stunt to spike sales.
With comic readership down (50% of comic shops have closed – watch below) and mainstream attention having turned to dust, identity swaps and controversial reboots are their go-to marketing move. However, they only work for a short-term boost and, as we’ve seen in the past, actually turn off and turn away readers.
How about it’s all of the above?
50% of comic shops have closed (because of Marvel):
The Takeaway: Marvel’s White Panther Is All About Shock
Whether he’s meant as a Trump-style allegory, a colonial symbol, or just a marketing stunt, Marvel’s new Black Panther is clearly a commentary piece on modern-day politics. Based on the first issue of the comics and the big reveal, it’s likely this “White Black Panther” is the villain, and his story will reflect deeper real-world politics Marvel has tackled before. Here’s the question: How’d it work out?
